Coon Problem

[Stmar]

Any ideas on how to get rid of coons? They are in my barn at night, I see their tracks. I really can't set traps, I have live traps, but also have barn cats that are half wild and I am sure they would get in the traps before the coons. They must come in late because I have not been able to catch site of them. They have made their "latrine", that really is the term for where they go to the bathroom, on top of the tack shed.

 

[RCW]

Are you sure it’s raccoons, or could it be skunks, porcupine, opossum, fisher, etc?

Doesn’t really matter as they’re all nocturnal and resourceful.

Of course, limiting access to food that might be attracting them is a good start.

Limiting access to a barn can be difficult.

Illumination is proven to discourage bats, but guessing these guys would be acclimated very quickly.

That’s a tough one without a .22LR or a live trap.

Even then you don’t want to take the chance of getting sideways with game laws…..

Maybe a game camera to see how they’re getting in?

 

[imnukensc]

Duke dog proof coon traps. https://www.scheels.com/p/duke-dog-...T7rbeX0k-ROHxpKueiIsLBb3J3C9reshoC6-4QAvD_BwE

 

[Flintknapper]

Duke dog proof coon traps. https://www.scheels.com/p/duke-dog-...T7rbeX0k-ROHxpKueiIsLBb3J3C9reshoC6-4QAvD_BwE

^^^^^

This....!

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Any ideas on how to get rid of coons? They are in my barn at night, I see their tracks. I really can't set traps, I have live traps, but also have barn cats that are half wild and I am sure they would get in the traps before the coons. They must come in late because I have not been able to catch site of them. They have made their "latrine", that really is the term for where they go to the bathroom, on top of the tack shed.

Assuming that access can’t be closed off (do you know how getting in?)…id start with a comfortable lawn chair (like a turkey lounger), partnered with ATF and a good dog. (Bourbon, cigar, favorite plinker and some .22 shorts if you can find them…if not worried about holes take it up notch…go ahead and buy some flex seal tape though…if worried about holes or safe angles to plink, maybe have a pitchfork handy.

Good luck.

 

[skeets]

I did hear the big kids talking about flybait mixed with grape soda,, seem they are DOA before they hit the ground

 

[rc51stierhoff]

I did hear the big kids talking about flybait mixed with grape soda,, seem they are DOA before they hit the ground

Heard something about that too…someone told me about that as I saw my boat sink…my understanding from the person was the soda pop cocktail is not selective and it’s helpful to have a BH…so they said….i wouldn’t know.

 

[D2Cat]

Set your live trap and if you catch a cat leave it in the trap a day or so. Once released they won't get back in. Eventually you will catch the coons.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

tried to cage a skunk.. got two coons, they both failed swimming lessons.....

 

[fried1765]

Any ideas on how to get rid of coons? They are in my barn at night, I see their tracks. I really can't set traps, I have live traps, but also have barn cats that are half wild and I am sure they would get in the traps before the coons. They must come in late because I have not been able to catch site of them. They have made their "latrine", that really is the term for where they go to the bathroom, on top of the tack shed.

I have found that a strobe light on a timer works well.
A radio may help also.

 

[Papadiver]

Is a known fact that coons and ground hogs are born with a lead deficiency…… I trap them inject some lead and relocate them! They are so destructive. I spent several thousand dollars fixing my farm pound from what the ground hogs did to it…….

 

[dlsmith]

Bait the live trap with sweet corn, they love it, and cats won't touch it.

 

[lugbolt]

Bait the live trap with sweet corn, they love it, and cats won't touch it.

that works-I've done it. Then relocate the coons. I don't care to just shoot them because around here the carcass attracts coyotes and especially buzzards. Buzzards will destroy car paint in short order.

had 5 coons on the front porch the other night, one of them on it's hind legs in the kitchen window looking in. Indoor cat "enjoyed" that. Nose to nose through the window.

last year I had to put a coon down, was acting weird. Just left it's carcass out in the field. Few nights later the inside cat woke me up hollering, and I was sleepin with the window open, I look over and the coyote was in the window screen and the cat on the inside, nose to nose. Had to put that coyote down too but i haven't seen too many more around. Thankfully.

 

[Workerbee]

Maybe that coyote thought somethin died in there…

 

[mikester]

Talking to a local animal control person they said relocation is illegal here, they basically get the coon out of the house and release at the end of the driveway. A little lead sounds less cruel than some of those "traps".

 

[ChiefWebb]

My go to coon trap is the hand trap, such as Duke's. I fill it with cat food. My barn cats leave the food in the traps alone as does my dog. I have trapped over 20 coons with it. Here in my county located in South Texas we have both coon and hog problems. The county ag extension office has endorsed the removal of the coons. I made a steel trap holder that allows me to place it inside a round metal oil drain pan. I tried the cheaper plastic ones by the trapped coon chewed them up. The pan is then filled with about a gallon of water. The water forms a moat around the trap holder and security chain, thus preventing fire ants from attacking the bait. Works very well. If you purchase one of the Duke's trasps get the simple setting tool as well, makes setting the trap very easy. If anyone is interested I can post photos of my setup.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Bait the live trap with sweet corn, they love it, and cats won't touch it.

When I bought a live trap, I first baited it with a can of tuna as recommended by the pest control guy. First night I caught a black cat. It had rained that night and he was not happy. When I released him, he shot out never to be seen again. Then I started thinking, since the coons had been raiding my suet feeders, I wired an ear of feed corn to the trap floor and smeared suet on it. Worked like a champ, first night, and I don't think cats would go for it. Skunks and possums I'm not so sure.

 

[D2Cat]

If you trap a skunk simply take an old sheet and hold it up in front of you as you walk up to the trap and lay the sheet over the entire trap. Then pick up the tap by the handle, through the sheet, and carry it outside. You can gently pull the sheet up and release the catch mechanism and use a screwdriver to hold the door open.

Last time I had a skunk in a trap I did as detailed, but I had a Ruger 22 bull Barrel with a 9 shot clip that I emptied and never hit it. I'm an excellent shot!!!!!

 

[Trimley]

Lead is the answer. Find some folk with night vision spectacles. Maybe buy them some suds for their time.

 

[Stmar]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Since I already have live traps the corn bait might do the trick, my barn cats are curious but like said they will learn after a few times, no harm no foul. They are definitely coons, I can read tracks pretty well, plus I don't think any other mentioned species has a latrine.